Part of ChathamCountyGA.gov
Command Staff
Chatham County Fire Department Command
James Vickers
Fire Chief
Chatham County Fire Chief James Vickers has more than 30 years of dedicated experience in Public Safety. He is a seasoned leader in emergency medical response, fire suppression, prevention and community risk reduction, training, emergency management, marine and industrial response, and special operations.
His unwavering commitment to excellence and extensive experience in organizational management make him a respected figure in the field, driving positive change and ensuring the highest standards of service delivery.
Chief Vickers's leadership philosophy emphasizes transparency, empowerment, and strategic planning, reflecting his deep-seated belief in the importance of building strong relationships and fostering professional growth within the organization.
He holds a Master Degree in Public Administration and Emergency Services Management and a Master Degree in Leadership and Organizational Management. Chief Vickers is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and received his designation as a Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
He also maintains numerous state and international level certifications, is a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager and a licensed Paramedic.
Lydia McCrary has been in Fire and EMS in Savannah, GA since 2006. She currently serves in the role as Director of Medical Services for the Fire Department. Previously she has served as Deputy Chief of EMS. She serves on several boards locally and regionally addressing emergency preparedness, community access to care/resources, homelessness, resiliency and mental health. She has dedicated her career to improving community response.
She actively supervises the County Community Paramedic- Behavioral Health Unit. Lydia has earned a bachelor's in psychology and a Master's in Health Science.
She is married to a firefighter/paramedic and has two children.
Lydia McCrary
Medical Services Director
Attended Herschel V. Jenkins High School and graduated in 1983. He has obtained an Associates and Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia Southern University, finishing my degree in 2020.
He started his career with the fire service in November 1982 with the Montgomery Fire Department, a division of Southside Fire Department, as a volunteer. In 1984, He began working for Southside Fire Department and did so for 23 years. He remained a volunteer with Southside, now Chatham Emergency Services, for 41 years.
In 2007, He worked for 12 years for the 165th Air Wing Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Captain. In 2019, he went back to work with the Chatham Emergency Services now the Chatham County Fire department as the Deputy Fire Chief.
The 59 year old has been married to his wife for 37 years and has two children with 3 grandchildren and soon to be four.
Keith Hardin
Deputy Chief
Chris Mills is the Deputy Chief of Support Services for Chatham County Fire Department. He began his fire service journey in 2003 as a volunteer with the Montgomery Fire Department and became a full-time firefighter with Southside Fire Department in 2004.
Over the years, he has served in every field position, from Firefighter, EMT, and Paramedic to Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and District Chief before assuming his current leadership role.
Holding an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, Deputy Chief Mills brings more than 20 years of combined career and volunteer service, marked by operational expertise, leadership, and a strong commitment to the community.
He has been married to his wife for 23 years, and they have two children.
